Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1887-08-04

He sank back upon the bed.
what he said was corroborated by others.
The verdict was in accordance with these
facts. 1t should be added that sorrowinR
members Of the family, who shortly came
on from the East to claim the remains,
fully concurred in this verdict.
People Mt Sunderland who had been dis
satisfied with this result on account of their
feeling against Larabee, arising out of his
vicious life, were soon convinced by the con-
duct of the man himself that they did him
injustice. He was, literally and emphatic.
ally, changed man. The profound sorrow
which he exhibited upon the sudden and
startling death of Mr.. Kinsman could not
possibly be feigned. His testimony at tho
inquest, while given in such way as to
produce a decided impression of its truth,
was frequently interrupted by his great
associates, disconhnued- -nho onAituSis, had
turned to hard and honest toll. AS the
place grew In population and importance,
the better man within Samson Larrabee
grew with it. And his fortunes fiourlshed
in due proportion. He acquired wealth and
public honors; he reared family In virtue
and usefulness; there was not a measure
for the public improvement, charitable, re-
ligious, or educational, that did not find In
him powerful supporter. His life was
prolonged beyond the period of three-score
and ten; and it is the simple truth to say
that he died lamented by oil who knew him
or knew of him.
While the belief remained unshaken that
no crime was committed upon that memoir
able night at Larrabee's inn, yet, in the
minds Of those who knew the depravity OF
the landlords character before that time,
there was feeling that the whole truth
had not been told. The sudden nnd aston
ishing change effected in that character
seemed to them not explained by anything
that had been told. AS time went on, and
the occurrences here related faded from the
rsoolloaiian of man. a few of the older res.
| iden,s of the place we're accustomed to get
together, and in reviewing the strange and
notable things that had occurred since the
settlement of their village, to declare that
there was, after all, q mystery about the
| Kinsman affair.
They we're right, although they were not
permitted in life to know its solution.
But a few years have elapsed since
very aged clergyman, once settled IN sun
derland, died in O city far beyond the Mis-
sissippi. The human heart and conscience
are not made for secrecy; they must con-
fide their sorrows and burdens to Other
sympathetic hearts; and to this good and
| TcNeItuu llhu ulu OuhAoOh A<oAAODSN 49,
bosom his secret in the days of his new
and better life. The substance Of what he
said will conclude this history.
The frame of mind and temper in which
Mr.. Kinsman found his wayward school
mate that evening was not such as to helI
the earnest appeals which the good maj
made to his better nature. Larrabee haC
been loser at the gaming-table, and had
been drinking upon this evening. Th'
feelings with which he discovered the iden
tity of his guest, and heard him Incl
dentally speak of his own prosperity anC
happiness, were feelings Of hatred ant
envy. His heart never softened while hi
friend continued to reprove and entrea
him, nor did the eloquent and truthful
, words arouse any sentiment of gratitude il
his breast. When Mr.. Kinsman faintet
Larrabee almost mechanically took thu
means to revive him; and while doing 81
the discovery of large treasure upon hi
, person instantly excited his cupidity. IL
went to his chamber and lay down, but nc
: 10 sleep. Thoughts of the belt, an
its rich store of gold aud notes, possesse
? him. Other thoughts of ventures at tn
! gaming-table followed. Then the dev
prompted him with the suggestion of ho'
; easy it would he 10 smother life so fra
1 rs that of Mr.. Kinsman, and how certainl
; the death Of the latter would be attribute
to natural causes. The demon made shol
work of the man in that conflict. In th
> still hours of he night, Samson LOrrabe
!. had actually stood by the bedside of h
3 sleeping friend, fully prepared for assa'
!. sination and robbery. In his after year
a in spite of his changed heart, in spite
|. the beauty of his life, this shadow WI
y over upon him-that he had been mu
Q dercr in heart il not in deed!
y As he stood there, preparing to execu
: his dreadful purpose, change came ov'
!. him. Mr.. kinsman was sleeping tranquil
u his benevolent face wearing look that VI
: almost n smile. The hands of the woult
: be murderer were arrested by an age
more powerful than anything of mere b,
man means. Conscience cried out with
. him; sense of bis own ingratitude, NJ
70 OF the unselhsh devotion of this frien
: smote him keenly. Ho was boy agai
o and sat upon the same seat with Otis Kin
% man, studying from the same book.
q thought of how he, the older and strong
) of the two, had once protected little o
's from the tyranny of large boy. And nc
Ie he was about to kill aud rob himi
g turned and silently left the room.
"a Perhaps. thus far, enough had happens
IN 10 work this mans thorough reformatio
10 In the morning. before the Startling calar
or ity of the night was made known, his co
81 duet showed that conscience was at wor
But the discovery that he made in NJ
- Kiasman's chamber that morning pluck
u him as with hand of iron from the bo
and turned his feet into better paths.
? IF man ever died for man, he solemn
= :, said to the clergyman, then dear OTIS di
~ for me. His life went out from the effe'
70 of his eager efforts to win me back. @
~ you not imagine how / was awedp L
visible finger of God seemed raised befc
me in warningl"